Centrifuge for separating molten metals from slag



E. HOEFLING Feb; 4, 1947 CENTRIF'UGE FOR SEPABATING MOLTEN METALS FROM SLAG Filed June 20, 1944 2. Sheets-Sheet l a WUWW gerze fjoefiz Feb. 4, 1947. E. HOEFLING 2,415210 CENTRIFUGE FOR SEPARATING MOL'IEN METALS FROM SLAG Filed June 20, 1944 2' Shuts-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 4, 1 947 CENTRIFUGE FOR SEPARATING MOLTElV METALS FBJOM SLAG Eugene Hoefling, Polk County, near Salem, Oreg.

Application June 20, 1944, Serial No. 541,205 (c1. 233--27) 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates generally to the class of metallurgy and pertains particularly to improvements in apparatus for refining metals.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for refining metal by centrifugal action whereby the metal is eilectively separated from the slag. r

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for separating metal from sla by centrifugal action, whichcomprises a revolving hopper or crucible into which the molten ore is introduced from the bottom, the molten material being forced to climb the sides of the crucible as the latter is rotated and the metalpassing out through apertures in the wall of the said structure while the lighter slag rises higher through the center of the molten material to pass out through upper apertures.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of th following detailed description taken in associa ion with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, it being understood, however, that the invention is not confined to a strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed or modifled so long as such changes cor/modifications mark no material departure'from the salient fea tures of the invention as expressed in the appended claim. v In the drawings: a a Figure 1 is a viewin top plan of a separator constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken substantially upon the line 22 of Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings the numeral l generally designates a frame cone, the lining in the circular area in which the ports 2! are formed, beingshaped or molded to form the annular vertical wall portion 22.

At its bottem end or apex the cone is open to form the inlet port 23 through which molten metal is introduced from the blast furnace, not

shown, by way oftthe pipe 24 which is lined with fire-brick or other suitable refractory material as indicated at 25. The outlet end of this, pipe and the refractory lining are shaped'to provide a structure or support for the separator, such support comprising vertical legs H, a top frame I2, and a platform or floor l3 resting upon the top frame I! and having a central circular opening ll'therethrough.

Mounted upon the top of the platform or floor I3 is the circular track I5 which is concentric with the opening l4.

The numeral [6 generally designates the revolving separator cone or crucible which is disposed vertically and upright, that is, with the apex down, within and upon the vertical center of the frame In as shown in Figure 2. This separator cone comprises the conical metal shell ll which is open at its bottom as indicated at l8 and which has its inner surface lined with firebrick or other suitable refractory material as indicated at [9.

close joint with the edge of the inlet port 23, as indicated at 26 and the lowest part of the pipe '24 which is immediately adjacent the upwardly curving portion 21 where it connects with the intake port 23 of the cone, is provided with the clean-out door 28 through which may be removed material remaining in the cone after the rotation of the same has been stopped. n

The top of the cone shell hasiormed integrally therewith the encircling inturned relatively wide guard lip 29 which functions to prevent any of the molten material escaping from the top of the revolving cone. I

Connected with the top portion of the cone shell, are the upwardly and outwardly extending hanger frames 30, each of which includes a short axle 3! which extends radially with respect to the open top of the cone and upon each of these axles is mounted a flanged wheel 32 which rests upon the circular track l5.

Encircling the lower end of the cone structure is a collar 33 with which are connected the radially outwardly extending trunnions 34 upon each of which is mounted a flanged wheel 35. These wheels 35 rest upon a circular track 35 which is supported upon a suitable frame support 31 which is constructed around the cone as shown in Figure 2. By means of these upper and lower wheel assemblies, running upon the circular tracks l5 and 36, the cone is supported for free rotation.

In the upper part of the cone structure there is formed the circular series of slag discharge ports 31 which pass through the refractory lin- Encircling the revolving cone in the plane of the ports 20-2! is a second circular chamber 4| which has. a continuous mouth opening 42 into which the ports 202l open. Leading from this chamber 4| into which the molten metal passes,"

is the downwardly and laterally extending molten metal discharging spout 43.

Each ofthe circular chambers 39 and 4| has its bottom or floor inclined toward the discharging spout to encourage the flow of molten metal thereto.

Secured about the cone,preierably below the annular molten metal receiving chamber 4!, is a ring gear 44 with which is connected a spur gear 45 carried by a driving shaft 46 which is connected with a suitable source of driving power, not shown. By this means rotation is imparted to the cone.

' tion more rapidly than the lighter molten slag and thus, as the material is caused to rise along the wall of the cone, the molten metal will flow out through the ports 20-2l into the annular molten metal receiving chamber 4| and the lighter slag will not be caused to pass through these ports but wil rise to the top the cone where it will pass out through the ports 31 into the annular receiving chamber 39.. In this manner the metal will be effectively refined or removed from the undesired slag.

The taper of the cone will be determined by the character of the material being handled and the speed of rotation at which the cone will be operated and therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the proportions of the cone structure or crucible here illus- 4 sion port concentric with and directed through the apex portion of the receptacle, means for introducing molten material upwardly into the receptacle through said port, means suspending said receptacle for rotation on a vertical axis, a series of outlet ports formed through the wall of the receptacle at each of two different elevational planes, a closed molten material receiving chamber formed around the receptacle in each of said planes and having an inlet mouth having top and bottom edges in close proximity the receptacle wall to receive molten material iron? I the adjacent ports, means connected with each of said chambers for carrying of! material therefrom, the said suspending means comprising a circular track structure disposed around the top of the receptacle and concentric therewith, a plurality of supporting wheels rotatably carried by the receptacle and resting upon said track, a second circular track encircling the lower portion of the receptacle, 9. pluralityoi wheels rotatably carried by the receptacle and resting upon the second track, a ring gear secured to and encircling the receptacle, and a shaft supported spur gear operatively coupled with the ring gear to transmit power thereto for the rotation of the receptacle.

EUGENE HOEFLING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 433,142 Peck July 29, 1890 2,128,444 Vroonen Aug'. 30, 1938 1,212,426 Voigtlander et al J an. 16, 1917 1,776,554 Gale Sept, 23, 1930 527,860 Kayser Oct. 23, 1894 739,081 Hicks Sept. 15, 1903 1,196,829 Wescott Sept. 5, 1916 1,947,844 Gish Feb. 20, 1934 974,075 King Oct. 25, 1910 2,237,291 Adams Dec. 21, 1943 2,302,578 Serrell Nov. 17, 1942 951,153 Sharples Mar. 8, 1910 

